I drifted off toward sleep. The edge was so very close. All I needed to do was take that final step and slide myself off the horizon, in concert with the sun—
Del lay down again. Said nothing for several long moments.
I just drifted, aware of her nearness in an abstract, pleasing way. Legs and elbows touched. My temple brushed her shoulder.
Drowsily, I thought: A good way to fall asleep—
Then she turned a hip, shifting closer to me. Her breath in my ear was soft. “Do sword-dancers-turned-messiahs have bedmates? Or are they celibate?”
I cracked open a gritty eye. “Not tonight, bascha. I have a headache.”
The sun fell over the edge. Laughing, so did I.